2002-10-17 (Special)
SPECIAL MEETING
ENCINIT AS SENIOR CITIZEN COMMISSION AND
SAN DIEGO COUNTY-WIDE SENIOR COMMISSION REPRESENT A liVES
ENCINIT AS COMMUNITY AND SENIOR CENTER
MINUTES
Meeting Date: Thursday, October 17, 2002; 11 :00 a.m.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
Chairperson Vance, Encinitas Senior Commission called the meeting to order at
11:10a.m.
Present:
Chairperson Vance, Vice Chairperson King, Commissioners
Moldenhauer, Hentz, Harp, and Blaylock.
Also
Present:
Recreation Superintendent Miller and Administrative Secretary
Jacklyn Dakovich.
Absent:
Commissioner Small
2. INTRODUCTION OF ATTENDEES - COUNTY-WIDE SENIOR COMMISSION
REPRESENTATIVES
Chairperson Vance suggested that each attendee introduce themselves and the
City or agency they represent. He began the introductions - Lee Vance,
Chairperson, Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission; Joel King, Vice Chairperson,
Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission; Doris Madsen, Commissioner and Ed
McCulloch, Chairperson, Oceanside Senior Commission; Andre Teuben, Senior
Advisory Council with AI.S.; Zoe Blaylock and Charles Harp, Commissioners
Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission; Mell Drake, Chairperson, City of Vista Senior
Commission. and Cathy Brendel, City of Vista staff liaison to the Senior
Commission; Donna Foster & Marilyn Prior, EI Cajon Commission on Aging; Garry
Hamdorf, staff liaison City of EI Cajon, Commissioners Tometta Hentz and Rose
Moldenhauer, Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission, and Pamela Chana Miller,
staff liaison Encinitas Senior Citizen Commission.
3. DISCUSSION ON FUTURE MEETING CRITERIA (PURPOSE, FORMAT,
PARTICIPATION, DISCUSSION ITEMS)
Chairperson Vance welcomed all attendees and briefly reviewed the history of the
Countywide senior citizens meetings. He suggested that today's meeting involve
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brainstorming on the purpose of the meetings and what needs to be
accomplished.
A discussion followed on theJrequency oUhemeetings, which ClfE:lnheld quarterly,
and several attendees suggested an annual meeting while others supported a
quarterly meeting. There was agreement on holding the meetings at various sites
in the County.
Chairperson Vance noted that only four cities were represented today and
suggested that greater representation was needed, including the City of San
Diego, before any major decisions as a group could be made.
Andre Teuben, ALS. - advised that the original purpose of the quarterly meetings
was to learn about other communities and how they were dealing with senior
issues.
Cathy Brendel, City of Vista - advised that the previous meetings appeared poorly
attended and had accomplished only a rehash of the previous meeting.
Ed McCulloch, City of Oceanside - suggested that each meeting have an agenda
with 2-3 items to focus on and discuss.
Doris Madsen, City of Oceanside - noted the need for better communication
between the cities and agencies.
Charles Harp, City of Encinitas - suggested that the mailing list be updated and
distributed to members.
Andre Teuben, ALS. - suggested that one-two representatives and an alternate
from each city be appointed to the group.
Cathy Brendel, City of Vista - suggested the group needed discussion topics,
speakers, A.LS. representative and follow legislative issues that affect seniors.
Pam Chana Miller, City of Encinitas - noted that before action can be taken on any
issue, the representatives at this meeting would need to report back to own
Commission to receive full Senior Commission support. The Brown Act meeting
laws and issues were discussed.
Mell Drake, City of Vista - suggested the group concentrate on one topic at a time.
Zoe Blaylock, City of Encinitas - suggested concentrating on one issue per year
with a unifying theme and ultimate goal.
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Charles Harp, City of Encinitas - noted the coalition needs to formalize their vision
on why meetings are held.
Participants shared various ideas such as: good vehicle for exchange of senior
issues, good place for connection and networking, share information and become
familiar with what other cities are doing, create clout and knowledge on legislative
issues. It was also discussed to keep the "mission simple."
Joel King, City of Encinitas - quoted "think globally, act locally". He is aware of the
common thread among seniors and suggested that the group act globally, with
one voice.
It was suggested Representatives take back to own Commissions for action, but
get input, ideas, and information from this group. It was also mentioned the
meetings need leadership and direction so not reinvented each time and meetings
are better organized.
Mell Drake, City of Vista -suggested one topic every two meetings.
Chairperson Vance reminded the group that half the County seniors live in the City
of San Diego and we need to encourage their representation for attendance and
input.
Ed McCulloch, City of Oceanside - noted that City of San Diego issues are very
different from smaller cities.
Chairperson Vance advised that senior issues are senior issues no matter where.
Garry Hamdorf, City of EI Cajon - asked if City of San Diego was invited.
Recreation Superintendent Miller advised that only those names on the list were
sent invitations to attend. She stated she had called City of San Diego and was
awaiting a contact person's information on their Senior Council.
Tometta Hentz, City of Encinitas - emphasized the importance of having City of
San Diego involved, felt AI.S. was a good contact to maintain, however, could not
support one theme per year, as there are many senior issues to address.
A discussion among attendees determined some of the top issues/topics to
discuss were:
. Health Care (Prescriptions, long term care, healthy living)
. Housing
. Transportation
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. Outreach (ie. AI.S. Network of Care)
Chairperson Vance advised that minutes of this meeting would be provided and
nQt~d the importance of selecting discussion topics for next meeting.
Recreation Superintendent Miller advised that after taking a tally, the group had
agreed, by consensus, to four meetings per year.
Mell Drake, City of Vista - suggested someone volunteer to update the mailing list.
Recreation Superintendent Miller stated she would correct and update the list and
pass on to the next agency for the next meeting.
Several attendees shared their concerns that little would be accomplished only
meeting four times a year.
Recreation Superintendent Miller advised that any accomplishments would be
recommendations to the various City Senior Commissions, who in turn could
determine action to be taken.
Ed McCulloch, City of Oceanside - advised that the group was originally formed to
provide information on senior issues and how various cities where addressing
them. He further stated he could not support one theme per year, too limiting.
Chairperson Vance proposed that these meetings will produce ideas that can be
taken back to each of your cities for action.
Recreation Superintendent Miller noted that previous meetings had not been
structured and asked for a vote on how upcoming meetings should be structured -
one main topic per meeting or per year.
Representatives from EI Cajon noted the importance of consistency, supported
one main issue per meeting, adding additional topics could carry over to next
meeting.
Mell Drake, City of Vista - proposed one topic per meeting, did not feel coalition
could sustain one topic per year.
Zoe Blaylock, City of Encinitas - reiterated her supported for one topic per year,
with speakers invited to share information on chosen topic, as well as discussion
period.
Charles Harp - City of Encinitas - suggested sending City newsletters to each
other for information purposes.
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Recreation Superintendent Miller tallied the final vote for a meeting format -
consensus was that meetings would be held four times a year with one topic per
meeting and a time for shared information on the agenda.
Andre Teuben, AI.S - requested that minutes be taken at all meetings and sent to
mailing list.
Recreation Superintendent Miller suggested that a determination should be made
today, if possible, on who should attend the quarterly meetings, and noted this
would help in updating the mailing list.
Chairperson Vance suggested that representatives (two members per City
selected to attend on a regular basis) from City Senior Commissions be invited to
attend with one vote per jurisdiction, and Senior Center representatives be invited
to attend but refrain from voting.
It was mentioned this is what is confusing because Senior Center staff,
Commission representatives and miscellaneous representatives were on the
mailing list and that this needed to be better defined.
Mell Clark, City of Vista - advised there are cities that do not have a Senior
Commission, such as Poway and San Marcos.
Andre Teuben, AI.S. - advised that National City had no Senior Commission.
Chairperson Vance suggested that each City could send a senior representative to
vote on discussion topics.
Tometta Hentz, City of Encinitas - concerned that representative sent by City may
be voice of the City and not necessarily a senior voice.
Zoe Blaylock, City of Encinitas - noted that each Center would have a group to
draw from and send a representative,.
Cathy Brendel, City of Vista - advised that San Diego could send fifteen
representatives from their many senior centers.
Chairperson Vance suggested this issue be tabled until the next meeting. He also
proposed that an Internet Page be set up to provide senior information.
Recreation Superintendent Miller noted the need for a consensus now on who to
invite to the meetings - Commission member, Senior Center Managers, individual
Senior Center representatives, or senior issues representatives. She also
suggested that topics be passed on to the City of Chula Vista, who will be holding
the next meeting.
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It was discussed that priority should be given to representatives from cities with
Commissions that review City-wide senior issues, then if the City does not have a
City-wide Commission, that they send a senior representative or Committee
mE~mber from their area. Invitation~vvill not be sE3nd'tQ inqividuqISE3niQrCenters
and Managers, as this list is too extensive. There are other professional avenues
for this type of networking.
Cathy Brendel, City of Vista ~ suggested the meeting time be changed to 10:30
a.m. to noon, which would be more convenient for attendees needing to travel
through traffic.
The group agreed to the time change.
After all the discussion, Recreation Superintendent Miller reviewed the items that
were agreed upon as a group consensus:
1. Meetings will be held four (4) times a year
2. One (1) main topic will be discussed per meeting
3. A specific time allotment will be on agenda for sharing information from
each agency
4. One-Two (1-2) Commission representatives that are over entire City issues
is first choice for attending meetings. If none exists in a City than a senior
representative for the City could attend
5. Changed meeting time to 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon.
A representative from EI Cajon suggested that when the minutes and invitation to
the next meeting are mailed to include a request for additional topics.
4. DISCUSSION TO SHARE AGENCY INFORMATION ON SUCCESSFUL SENIOR
VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS
Chairperson Vance went around the table and asked each representative if they
had any information to share about volunteer programs.
Ed McCulloch, City of Oceanside - reported that the 5th Annual Oceanside Senior
Expo was very successful. He emphasized that volunteers, both seniors and
youth, helped make the event so successful.
Mell Drake, City of Vista - noted that most of their programs are staffed by
volunteers.
Cathy Brendel, City of Vista - noted that with high schools requiring community
service, we are using our Out and About Senior Transportation Program for a new
service which provides grocery shopping and delivery to seniors by local teens.
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A Representative from EI Cajon shared information on a recent program on fraud,
put on by the local police department and postal service.
5. STATUS ON TRANSPORTATION ISSUES
Ed McCulloch, City of Oceanside - advised their City had learned a lot from the
City of Vista. He further advised that City of Oceanside is looking into the senior
transportation issue, conducting a senior transportation need survey and has
future plans to provide permanent auxiliary senior transportation. He also noted
that Oceanside City Council is very supportive.
Cathy Brendel, City of Vista - reviewed their City's "Out and About" Program and
noted that the City of Riverside (model for Vista's "Out and About" Program) had
just recently passed a transportation tax bill that will benefit senior transportation
in that area.
Chairperson Vance suggested that we further discuss transportation issues at
the next meeting.
It was recommended by one Representative that transportation has been
discussed and rehashed at the last four (4) meetings. The discussion of a
different topic was suggested.
6. FUTURE MEETING DATE
He thanked the attendees for participating and announced the next meeting
would be held in the City of Chula Vista, January 16, 2003, from 10:30 a.m. to
Noon. He suggested attendees bring their e-mail addresses at that time.
7. ADJOURNMENT
Meeting adjourned at 12:50 p.m.
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